Is work making you FAT? Brits blame job boredom and 'al desko' snacking for weight gain

SNEAKY: One in ten admit to secret snacking behind their computers and even in the office toilets [GETTY ]

Your 9-to-5 could be the reason for that expanding waistline, with a recent survey showing that the workplace is the worst place for overindulging on unhealthy snacks.

The research, by Fruyo, revealed that over a quarter of diets fail due to unhealthy snacking "al desko".

Cookies were the nation's biggest weakness, with 37 per cent of people admitting to feasting on the doughy treats. A further 32 per cent said chocolate was their downfall and for 30 per cent it was crisps.

The findings also revealed that, while our favourite place to indulge is our desk, around one in 10 admits to secret snacking behind their computers and even in the office toilets.

EXCUSES, EXCUSES: Brits say the snack at work because of boredom and stress [GETTY ]

Boredom was the most common excuse for "al desko" snacking, with 41 per cent blaming a lack of mental stimulation for their bad snacking habits.

Over a third attributed a simple urge for an unhealthy snack as the reason for their diet lapse and 26 per cent blamed a lack of energy.

Stress was also a factor, with 20 per cent of office workers seeking solace in fatty foods.

Overall, marketing professionals were found to be the worst for workplace binges. They topped the unhealthy table with over half admitting to having one of the four Cs (chocolate, cake, crisps and cookies) every day.

“These findings outline how quick we are to blame our work and our colleagues for our diet failures”

Fiona Hunter, nutritionist and food writer

Ironically, nearly half of health sector professionals also reach for the treats tin on a daily basis, with teachers and accountants not far behind.

Lawyers take bottom place, with only a quarter of them snacking on unhealthy food during work hours.

“These findings outline how quick we are to blame our work and our colleagues for our diet failures. I often hear employees saying it’s difficult to eat healthily while they are working, but it doesn’t have to be tricky," said nutritionist and food writer, Fiona Hunter.

"I’d recommend planning healthy, protein-rich snacks, to keep your energy levels up and temptation at bay. By seeing snacking as a positive element to your working day, it’ll help you to make structured, informed choices, keeping you and your diet in line.”

AL DESKO: Cookies were people's biggest weakness at work, followed by chocolate and crisps [GETTY ]

Fiona shares her top five tips for staying in shape at work:

1. Think positive

Snacking should be a positive addition to your daily diet, the opposite of ‘grazing’, which is when we turn to indulgent and calorific snacks in a moment of hunger. So think about moments of the day when you’re usually peckish in between meals and be prepared to eat to keep satisfied. As long as you’re eating healthy snacks, you’ve got nothing to worry about!

2. Plan ahead

When doing your weekly shop, think about portable, healthy items that you can take with you to the office. This means that you’ll be well prepared and more likely to avoid those tempting cookies and cake. As a guide, you’re looking for snacks that are around 150-200 calories, are low in fat or fat free, and that give important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, calcium and protein.

3. Portion control

Individually portioned items are great for the workplace. Let’s face it, if you open up that pack of biscuits or that bag of crisps, you’re going to eat more than you planned to. But, with a single yoghurt, banana or serving of nuts, you don’t have that worry.

Temptation hits hardest when the biscuit tin gets passed around or a birthday cake is placed a few desks away for everyone to enjoy. By having well-stocked desk drawers with your own healthy supplies, you should be able to control your urges.

5. Be keen on protein

Some studies have shown that protein is a good way to keep hunger at bay. So think about snacks such as a Greek yoghurt, around 30g of almonds, or oatcakes spread with two tablespoons of peanut butter to get you through until your next meal time.

Alison White, spokeswoman for Fruyo, said: "We’re challenging local businesses, across the country, to make smarter choices and swap their usual cookies and crisps for healthier snacks to feel the difference both within themselves and across their workplace too."

For further information on the "Ditch and Switch" Challenge, visit their Facebook page at bit.ly/ditchswitch and to find out more about Fruyo head to uk.fage.eu.